Important accounts of the events that unfolded following the developments at the Holy Monastery of Saint Avvakum are included in the testimony of Father Dionysios Koptidis, who described before the Court the procedures followed by the Metropolis of Tamassos and Oreini, the interrogation of the monks, the confessions that, according to him, were given, as well as the references to large sums of money.

During Wednesday’s proceedings before the Permanent Criminal Court, Father Dionysios stated that he had been informed by Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamassos about “suspicious activities” at the monastery and involving the monks living there, and that he had received instructions regarding the removal of items from the monastery.

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According to his testimony, authorizations had been prepared for the individuals who were to go to the monastery.

As he stated, “There were 16 people who went to the monastery to transport the items,” clarifying that one of them was a driver and did not participate in the handover process.

The Arrival of Father Porphyrios

Father Dionysios then described Father Porphyrios’s arrival at the Metropolis. As he testified, Father Porphyrios appeared “visibly agitated” and asked to meet with the Metropolitan.Subsequently, according to the testimony, Abbot Nektarios and other monks arrived at the Metropolis, while he himself participated in the proceedings of the episcopal court due to his administrative position.

The Two Safes

The testimony made specific mention of the two safes and the amounts that, according to Father Dionysios, were cited during the proceedings. He stated that audiovisual material was presented which, according to his testimony, pertained to both ecclesiastical and financial misconduct.

“What I clearly remember is that, when asked about the contents of the two safes, the Abbot replied that the first contained over 700,000 euros, and the second contained over 90,000 euros,” he testified.

“Save me, Your Eminence, and I will leave tomorrow morning.”

Father Dionysios also referred to Abbot Nektarios’s conduct during the proceedings.

According to his testimony, the Abbot reportedly admitted his guilt while simultaneously seeking a solution so that he would not be defrocked and could transfer to another Orthodox Metropolis abroad.

In fact, Father Dionysios quoted the abbot as saying: “Save me, my Lord, and I will leave tomorrow morning.”

As he reported, the Metropolitan did not accept this solution, stating, according to the testimony: “I cannot pass on such a problem to another Metropolis.”

Subsequently, according to the witness, a handover document was drafted, which the Abbot signed without any pressure.

“The Interrogation of Father Porphyrios and the Reference to €700,000”

In his testimony, Father Dionysios also referred to the examination of Father Porphyrios, whom he described as “considerably more reserved.”

As he testified, he was informed by the episcopal court of the charges against him and was questioned regarding the facts of the case.

According to Father Dionysios, Father Porphyrios wrote and signed a confession “of his own free will.”

Reference was also made to the sum of €700,000, which Father Nektarios reportedly said was in one of the two safes that were found.

When asked about this money, Father Dionysios testified that Father Porphyrios allegedly stated that it was “black money.”

“He signed his confession of his own free will,” the witness stated.

The Report to the Archbishop

Father Dionysios also mentioned that the Archbishop of Cyprus was informed following these developments, asserting that Father Porphyrios had approached the Archbishop to seek his blessing.

According to the testimony, this was followed by a decision regarding his suspension from specific duties and his removal from the monastery.

References to the Other Monks

In his testimony, Father Dionysios also referred to the other monks who were examined as part of the proceedings.

Regarding Father Avvakum, he stated that, after watching specific audiovisual material, the monk “burst into tears” and asked to remain at the Metropolis along with the other fathers.

As he testified, his request was granted, since no charges had been brought against him.

Referring to Father Bartholomew, Father Dionysius said that no charges were brought against him either, since, according to his testimony, “he had not been involved in any misconduct.”

Father Isaiah also remained free of charges, according to the same testimony, and Father Dionysios also stated that he “had not been involved in any misconduct.”

The amount of €807,000

Father Dionysios also referred to a letter from attorney Adriana Klaidi, who, at that time, was acting as legal counsel for Abbot Nektarios and which, as he stated, he submitted as part of his testimony.

According to his testimony, the letter refers to a sum of €807,000, which, as stated, constituted the property of her client, namely the former Abbot Archimandrite Nektarios.

The witness also addressed issues concerning the monastery’s building complex, as well as the property associated with it.

“I was not present when the safe was opened.”

Toward the end of his testimony, Father Dionysios provided a series of clarifications regarding what he personally knew.

“I was not present when the safe was opened,” he stated, while maintaining that he was not personally aware of the details regarding certain actions attributed to members of the Monastery.

At the same time, he stated that he knew “nothing about the pickup of the items from the monastery or their transport.”

He also noted that he was unaware of the details regarding the installation of the monastery’s DVR (Digital Video Recorder—closed-circuit recording system).

Finally, as he said, he did not see “hooded individuals,” nor did he notice “any attempt by anyone to instruct anyone to leave the Monastery.”

The hearing will resume on October 14, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

It should be noted that the case involves the monks Nektarios and Porphyrios, who face, among other charges, conspiracy to defraud, forgery and the use of forged documents, theft from an agent, unlawful possession of property, money laundering, obstruction of justice, and filing a false tax return.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court beyond a reasonable doubt.

Source: CNA